On Thursday, June 6, Finance Minister and Coordinator of the Economy, Wale Edun, in a meeting with President Bola Tinubu along with Atiku Bagudu, proposed an N105,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers per month.
Hours later, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu, refuted that Wale Edun proposed N105,000 minimum wage for workers.
Onanuga did not refute the meeting held between Tinubu, Bagudu – Budget Minister, and Wale Edun – Finance Minister, to ensure the one-week deadline given to Labour did not end in futility.
Recall that Labour on Monday commenced an indefinite strike to press the federal government to give Nigerian workers a living minimum wage, as hardship ravages the country’s civil servants. Labour after a closed door appeal meeting with government relaxed to indefinite strike to give government till today (Friday, June 7) to conclude negotiation.
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On Thursday, June 6, Labour said it was worried that just a day to the end of the one week given to government, no response. Labour said a government that passed Act of new national anthem in a rush, increased to 300% salary of Chief Justice of Nigeria and judiciary officers, also in a rush, should not waste time in approving a living wage for Nigerian workers. “See the speed of approval, Why not use the same speed for Nigeria Workers,” Labour wrote on its X handle.
Reacting to the proposed N105,000 minimum wage, Bayo said no proposition was made for the amount.
“The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false,” Onanuga wrote.
Labour and the federal government team will meet today (Friday, June 7) for announcement of the new minimum wage. Government had earlier said approved minimum wage arrears would be backdated to May and paid.